HENRY, Valentine Ernest Michael
| Service Number: | 404245 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 1 Photo Reconnaissance (RAF) |
| Born: | Bullfinch, Western Australia, 8 June 1915 |
| Home Town: | Palmwoods, Sunshine Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Gympie High School & Queensland University |
| Occupation: | Public Service Clerk |
| Died: | Flying Battle, France, 18 April 1942, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Perros Guirec Communal Cemetery, Cotes D'Armor, France Section R, Row 12, Grave 32, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nambour Maroochy Shire War Dead Memorial, Woombye War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 404245, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404245 | |
| 27 Jun 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant | |
| 17 Jul 1941: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404245 | |
| 31 Oct 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404245, No. 79 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 19 Jan 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404245, 1 Photo Reconnaissance (RAF) , Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 18 Apr 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404245, 1 Photo Reconnaissance (RAF) , Air War NW Europe 1939-45, 1 Photo Reconnaissance (RAF) |
Help us honour Valentine Ernest Michael Henry's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Valentine Ernest Michael HENRY was born on 8th June 1915 in Bullfinch, Western Australia - his birth is listed under Michael V E
His parents were Michael Laurence HENRY and Evangeline (Eva) POPE - Eva remarried in 1943 in Queensland to Andrew NICOLI & died in 1948
Valentine first joined the CMF on 6th April, 1940 & was living in Forest Glen via Palmwoods in Queensland when he enlisted in Brisbane with the Royal Australian Air Force on 19th July, 1940
He embarked from Sydney on 17th July, 1941 for Canada and the United Kingdom.
He died on 18th April, 1942 as the Pilot of a Spitfire (AB 119) whilst on an air operation while attached to the Royal Air Force Squadrons & Support Units. The unit was 1 Photo Reconnaissance (RAF)
On 18th April, 1942 Spitfire AB119 took off on an photo reconnassaince operational flight from RAF St Eval but failed to return to base
His death was presumed at the time & his body was recovered on 11th April, 1942 when it washed ashore at Triagon Island - he was buried on 22nd April, 1942 at the Perros Guirec Communal Cemetery, Cotes d'Armor, France.
His name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial & the Roll of Honour in Woombya, Queensland - he was awarded his Flying Badge on 26th June, 1941
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